     (.-value (dom/getElement "directions-to"))))
 
 (defn remove-explanation-text []
-  (.remove (dom/getElement "explanation")))
+  (if-let [node (dom/getElement "explanation")]
+    (.remove node)))
 
 (defn section-id [num]
   (str "biz-" num))

       (doseq [biz numbered-biz]
         (let [{:keys [id name url]} biz
               {:keys [latitude longitude]} (-> biz :location :coordinate)]
           (add-numbered-marker latitude longitude id)))
       (dommy/append! (sel1 :#biz-container)
                      (biz-template start-point end-point numbered-biz))
       (doseq [biz numbered-biz]

           (go
            (while true
              (<! mouseover)
              (remove-marker biz-layer id)
              (add-numbered-marker-active biz-layer latitude longitude id)))
           (go
            (while true
              (<! mouseout)
              (remove-marker biz-layer id)
              (add-numbered-marker biz-layer latitude longitude id)))))
       (expand-biz-sidebar) ;; reduce map size to allow for biz sidebar
       (.fitBounds m
                   [[(:sw-lat map-bounds) (:sw-lng map-bounds)]
